Alexandra Bell revelled in making her point on the biggest stage of them all, producing a personal best in the Olympic 800m final.

Cameras were fixed on gold medallist Athing Mu and Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson winning silver but behind them the Leeds star produced a lifetime best of 1:57.66.

Bell has made clear her anger at never being accepted to the UK Athletics world-class programme and in producing a truly world-class performance, spoke louder than words ever could.

“I’ve proven people wrong tonight but most important I’ve proven myself right,” said the 28-year-old.

“I think that's the main thing I need to take away from this, I knew all along what I was capable of, it's just a shame that a lot of other people couldn't see that as well."

On the prospect of gaining funding on the back of the display: “I have no expectations anymore.

“I've come so far relying on myself, I've literally got this far relying on myself, I've got nothing to say on that matter anymore.”

Mu took the field out to a first lap of 57.9 and Bell was the furthest back of the three Brits; taking part in the first-ever Team GB trio to reach the women's 800m final.

The Yorkshire star looked to be losing ground on the back straight but produced a strong final surge and nearly overtook Ethiopian Habitam Alemu.

“When I was running I had no idea about the splits or the times,” said Bell.

“After the first 200m I was out the back door and I thought the legs had come off already, so when I crossed the line and I saw the actual time flash up on the board, I was so surprised.”

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Hodgkinson’s silver was Britain’s first women’s 800m medal since 2004 and broke Kelly Holmes’s national record in the process.

The 19-year-old unleashed her potent kick finish to come from fourth to second, overtaking Tea GB team-mate Jemma Reekie and finishing in 1:55.88.

She came home 0.67 behind USA’s Mu, also 19, who won in a national record of 1:55.21.

“What a time and what a place to do it as well,” said Bell.

“We’ve all done so well. Keely is unbelievable at only 19 as well, the only way she can go is to keep improving. Her future's so bright.

“She's setting the bar so high and she's certainly keeping everybody on their toes. It's just growing, this new generation of female middle-distance running, which is amazing to see.”

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